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Alaska is by far America's largest state, a beautiful slice of northern hemisphere paradise that should inspire seniors to explore its seemingly endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, shopping, and community involvement. With top-notch hospitals, big-name amenities, and an impressive transportation system — whether by road, boat, or air — Alaska is a great place to settle down during one's golden years. Overflowing with opportunities and excitement, it's really the nine most comfortable towns in Alaska for seniors that really sets The Last Frontier apart from other states.

Juneau

The capital city of Alaska, Juneau boasts over 250 miles of trails, magnificent whale-watching opportunities, and is close to the Mendenhall Glacier. It also offers a major ferry port, an airport (Juneau International Airport) with flights provided by Alaska Airlines and Delta, and free transit for seniors aboard Capital Transit. As for the ferry terminal, seniors can enjoy both day trips and more long-haul expeditions to locations like Anagoon, Gustavus, Haines, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, and even Bellingham in Washington. The average home price here is around $500,000, a small price to pay for mind-blowing natural amenities.

The Bartlett Regional Hospital serves as the primary health center in the city, though senior centers often run their own health clinics, as well as counselling, transportation services, and meals. Seniors can take part in easy-going indoor activities, like the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, or they can hop on board a tour of the coves. Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure is a groomed trail system that leads retirees through stunning plant life wonders. Things can be kept lowkey with a leisurely walk along the beaches of Savikko Park just across the Juneau-Douglas Bridge.

Juneau is also stocked full of local restaurants and shops, with popular stops like The Hangar on the Wharf right next to the water, and the Sandpiper Cafe for those who love to chat over a cup of coffee. Major grocery outlets include Rainbow Foods and their selection of organic essentials, Foodland IGA, Safeway, Fred Meyer, and even a Costco for retirees who love to shop in bulk.

Seward

Serving as the gateway to the magnificent Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward combines ocean living with mountainous landscapes and towering glaciers. Just off the Gulf of Alaska, Seward is accessible by air, sea, and road, with the Seward Highway taking residents to Anchorage. Seward is also a cheaper alternative to Juneau, with home prices typically averaging in the low- to mid-$400,000s.

Providence Seward Medical Center is the main 24/7 hospital that services Seward, and the senior centers, along with health clinics, also offers tai-chi, group walks, lunches, and meals on wheels. Seniors can spend their days browsing the Seward Community Library & Museum, a source of never-ending knowledge. There is also the Alaska SeaLife Center, a research and rehab center that is also an aquarium. Outdoor enthusiasts can stroll the Seward Seawall, as well as the Sea Otter Trail alongside the town and the ocean. The town offers fjord tours, where photo opportunities of the stunning landscapes are abundant. Two Lakes Park is right in town, with groomed trails passing by First and Second Lake. Or, seniors can spend their days exploring the vast Kenai Fjords National Park, with activities for all mobilities and ages.

For retirees who love to dine out, Primrose Provisions is located on the seawall and is both a wine bar and a spot for excellent charcuterie. The Cookery specializes in freshly caught seafood. Groceries can be purchased at Safeway, or Seward Marketplace, and the city shuttle will bring residents to where they need to go with ease. Other transit options include a train to Anchorage and the Seward Cruise Ship Terminal.

Homer

Homer is a seaside town on Kachemak Bay, off the Gulf of Alaska, and is known as the halibut fishing capital of the º£½ÇÉçÇø. With a ferry terminal, as well as a highway that leads to Anchorage, Homer is an accessible and beautiful oasis. Home prices average around $400,000 with a median price of $577,500, a steal for ocean living in one of the prettiest places on earth.

South Peninsula Hospital operates during any hour, though the Homer Medical Center is another option for health care needs. Homer Senior Citizens Inc. operates the Silver Lining Cafe, a meeting spot for seniors to socialize over coffee. They also have a Friendship Center, and scheduled activities, including baking, cards, and pet therapy.

Activities for retirees around town include the Pratt Museum, or for those with a car, cruising along Skyline Drive Overlook with stops at the viewpoints provides residents with a jaw-dropping panorama of the sea. Seniors seeking some adrenaline can take part in a bear-viewing tour, or for those who want to take things easy, Bishop's Beach is a prime spot for walks, beachcombing, and tide-pooling.

Duncan House Diner is a local favorite for breakfast, or retirees can meet with friends at Captain's Coffee Roasting Co., with locally roasted beans. Essential retailers include Safeway, Save-U-More, Alasandro's Market for more specialized goods, and a darling farmers market. Taxis, including water taxis, take residents around the area, and the ferry journeys to Kodiak, Juneau, and Bellingham.

Soldotna

Located in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the Kenai River runs right through the town of Soldotna. The town sits on the Sterling Highway and is a little less than a three-hour drive from Anchorage. With an average home price under $400,000, Soldnotna is an affordable Alaskan paradise with lots to offer.

The Central Peninsula Hospital operates 24/7, and the senior centers, along with health initiatives, provide daily lunches, live music events, silent auctions, craft sales, and chair yoga. Retirees can stroll around the Soldotna Historical Society and Museum on less than nice days, and when the weather outside is nice, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is full of accessible trails sure to delight. Fishing is a popular activity along the Kenai River, or residents can make the short drive to the oceanside village of Kenai for more spots to cast a line.

Seniors who consider themselves night owls can meet with friends and family at St. Elias Brewing Company, or if a dinner out is all that's desired, The Catch Restaurant and Bar is a cozy spot for seafood and steak. Grocery stores in town include Safeway, Walgreens, Fred Meyer, and a farmers market for all the best local goods. The town has a taxi service, and the Alaska Bus Company provides retirees with a way to get to Anchorage without the need to drive themselves.

Palmer

Known as the state's garden hub, Palmer is rare in that it thrives off an agricultural lifestyle due to its prime growing areas. Less than an hour from Anchorage, Palmer is a safer alternative to big city living while still having access to larger amenities. Home prices average between $400,000 and $500,000. Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is the town's hospital, and Mat-Su Senior Services has scheduled exercise and health activities, as well as a book club, bingo, and more.

Lazy Mountain is across the Matanuska River and offers trails of varying difficulties so that everyone can enjoy the viewpoints and winding paths. Palmer also has golf courses for those who love to play a round every now and then, and Matanuska River Park is in town, featuring trails, river access, picnic shelters, and washrooms.

Retirees can dine out at an array of wonderful establishments, such as the Palmer Alehouse, or the Noisy Goose. Carrs and Fred Meyer are the major grocers in town, though Bushes Bunches Produce Stand is only a short drive away. Transit is operated by Valley Transit, with trips into Anchorage. And residents can look forward to the Alaska State Fair, which takes place in Palmer every summer.

Nome

Nome is the place for retirees looking to spend their days lost in nature, with no city distractions, loud noise, or crowds. It is an extremely secluded town, but despite its hard-to-reach location, it still flourishes with plenty of amenities. Plus, homes average around $152,500, an extremely hard-to-beat price. The town is on the Norton Sound, part of the Bering Sea, and is much closer to Russia than it is to many cities in Alaska.

Norton Sound Regional Hospital is open 24/7, and XYZ Senior Center has health clinics, meals, transportation services, and on-site showers and laundry facilities. Seniors can learn about the area's history at the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum, or at the Katirvik Cultural Center. Snake River winds through town, and Swanberg Rocker Gulch Park has boardwalks that lead to equipment used for dredging and extracting gold.

Safeway (aka Hanson's Trading Co.) is the main grocery store, as well as Alaska Commercial Company. Popular spots for food and drinks include Milano's Pizzeria for a mouth-watering bite or breakfast at Polar Cafe. Nome has an airport (Nome Airport), with flights to Anchorage, and is becoming a popular destination for cruise ships. In town, retirees can take advantage of taxis as a way to commute, or by walking, since everything is close together. And every year, seniors can look forward to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, since the finish line is right in Nome at the Burled Arch (the Red "Fox" Olson Trail Monument).

North Pole

The town of North Pole, which is a 20-minute drive from the city of Fairbanks, lives up to its name. They celebrate Christmas year-round, with themed statues, buildings, and shops. It's the perfect spot for seniors who consider the holiday their favorite and want to feel like they've settled someplace magical while still being close to big-name amenities. Home prices average in the $300,000s.

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital is only a short commute, and North Pole has its own medical clinic, eye clinic, pharmacy, and more. Santa's Senior Center hosts potlucks and bake sales, as well as activities such as bingo and exercise groups. Retirees can browse the festive decorations and knickknacks at Santa Claus House as a way to keep warm indoors. Chena Lake Recreation Area is right outside the town, with beaches, ice-fishing, trails, and picnic areas. Another popular pastime in town is fishing on the Tanana River.

Seniors can sit down to breakfast at the North Pole Crepery, or lunch with friends at Little Richard's Family Diner, a 1950s-style establishment sure to entertain. The town is home to a Safeway, and many more retailers are just up the highway in Fairbanks. A bus makes the trip daily for those who don't wish to, or can't, drive themselves.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is the Salmon Capital of the º£½ÇÉçÇø, and while the fish might be abundant, so is the stunning architecture in town, and the fabulous natural wonders nearby. Close to the British Columbia border, Ketchikan is surrounded by islands, with a major ferry port. Home prices average in the mid-$350,000s to the mid-$450,000s.

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center is the town's hospital, and there are several senior centers, including one operated by Catholic Community Services, which offers meals, transportation, shopping assistance, and more. Seniors can take things slow by browsing the exhibits at Ketchikan Museums or at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. The Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary is a short drive away, and Totem Bight State Historical Park is just north of town and honors the state's Native American culture.

Pilothouse Coffee is a fantastic place for retirees to relax with a latte or read a book. And it's not hard to find a great place to dine out later in the evening, with hotspots like The Alaska Fish House and its amazing views.

Grocery shopping can be done at the local Safeway or at the farmers market. The town is also sprinkled with food stores specializing in more gourmet options. Seniors who need to leave town for any reason can do so with the ferries that journey to locations like Hollis, Bellingham, and Juneau. There is also the Ketchikan International Airport, plus transit services and a cruise terminal.

Valdez

Valdez was a major point during the Klondike Gold Rush; now, it is a wonderful town for retirees hoping to live amongst nature. Located on Prince William Sound near Chugach National Forest, it has a major highway that will take residents to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and more. Average home prices Homes average around $325,400.

Providence Valdez Medical Center is the main hospital in town, and Valdez Senior Center offers personal care assistance, connections to local services, and activities like yoga, writing clubs, cribbage, and crafts. Seniors can enjoy indoor activities like the Valdez Museum, or sampling new drafts at Valdez Brewing. For those who love to be outdoors, Valdez Glacier Lake has expansive viewpoints, rock beaches, trails, and outdoor adventure opportunities for retirees who are up to it. Seniors can also take part in activities around Valdez, such as bear-watching tours and day cruises.

In town, The Stampmill and Old Town Diner are two popular spots for a meal, and grocery shopping can be done at Safeway or the Valdez Food Cache. For more essentials, Soaring Eagle Transit makes frequent trips to Anchorage, as does Ravn Alaska with flights out of Valdez Airport.

Final Thoughts

While cities like Fairbanks and Anchorage provide big-name stores and amenities, the small towns of Alaska are where the heart of The Last Frontier beats. With beautiful landscapes and a commitment to providing the necessities, Alaska's nine most comfortable towns for seniors are prime spots for those who want to wake up every morning somewhere beautiful, walk to their favorite coffee shop, and dine on only the freshest seafood. Alaska is for everyone, no matter their mobility, age, or personality, but it's especially enticing for seniors who long to hold onto their spirit of adventure.